Investigation of an Outbreak of Salmonella Paratyphi B Variant L(+) tartrate + (Java) Associated with Ball Python Exposure - United States, 2017

Abstract

In July 2017, PulseNet, the national molecular subtyping network for foodborne disease surveillance, identified a cluster of five Salmonella Paratyphi B variant L(+) tartrate + (Java) clinical isolates that were indistinguishable by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Initial questionnaires administered by state and local health department investigators indicated animal exposure as a possible source of infection, with all five patients reporting snake exposure. An outbreak investigation was initiated to identify the source of infection. A ball python bedding sample from the Arizona residence and a ball python cloacal sample from the Indiana residence yielded Salmonella Paratyphi B variant L(+) tartrate + (Java). Sampling also identified Salmonella Mbandaka from a feeder rodent and a ball python at the Arizona residence. In addition, Oregon ball python environmental samples yielded Salmonella Oranienburg.